The Songs Behind: SHEARS
Discover the songs that shaped the one of Scotland's most talented artists/producers SHEARS, on the release date of her newest single 'BAD DREAM'.
Photo Credit: Laura Prieto Martin
Today (March 5th) has seen one of the most exciting names in electronic music, artist/producer/songwriter SHEARS, release her powerful new single 'BAD DREAM'. The song tackles themes of sexism in both the music industry and every day life, feeling like you're caught in a bad dream that eventually you will be able to wake up from it. SHEARS drawing lyrics from her own personal experience, but unfortunately they will be all too familiar to too many. Despite the poignant topic behind the song, SHEARS has still managed to create an upbeat electro track that you cannot help but dance along to, all whilst reflecting on a really serious issue.
To celebrate the BAD DREAM's release, I am joined by SHEARS to discover more about the single, before discovering the songs that shaped her through my 'Songs Behind' feature
Tell the Songs Behind the Music audience about your new song 'Bad Dream'.
"It's about dealing with everyday sexism, partly based on experiences in the music industry - reading what people say and feeling like you’re caught in a bad dream and you’ll wake up eventually. It’s the story we’ve been sold for so long, but surely everyone should be able to see it’s incredibly outdated now..."
You have managed to create a song that sounds so upbeat, yet tackles such a serious issue. How did you find the process of creating such a piece, and was it important for you to capture that paradox musically?
"I didn’t consciously think too much about the difference between the subject and the feel of the song, but I do enjoy these sorts of contradictions in music, so maybe something was going on subconsciously. I tend to write about whatever is on my mind, and the topic had me a little wound up that day after reading some news articles. It sometimes feels so Sisyphean being a female artist and producer - you think you’re getting somewhere and then someone says something stupid and you’re pushed back again. I think it’s important not to let these people have the power over you, but on the odd day it gets to me and I have to let it out. With Bad Dream, I think it just so happens I was creating something musically upbeat at the same time."
You teamed up with Genevieve Ryan for the animated video. What was it like seeing your sonic creation come to like visually?
"I’ve known Genevieve for years, and was so excited to collaborate with her. She’s such an amazing artist, and when she sent the storyboard over to me I had no changes. She understood exactly what I was going for, and that’s such a great feeling. I love it!"
Favourite Song to Play Live:
'Afterthought - SHEARS'
"I love songs where I can have a good-old sing, like Afterthought (I get to do a high whistle note in that song and the audience reaction is always really nice!). I’m enjoying player my newer ones a lot, but I think that’s always the case! I have a fun spiral cymbal that I play live, so it’s always fun to incorporate that into my songs"
Song That Reminds You of Your Childhood:
"My parents listened to mainly Scottish artists at home. I remember there being a lot of Annie Lennox and Rod Stewart playing around the house, so these artists are quite nostalgic for me."
First Album You Brought:
'...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears'
"I think it was Britney Spears’ …Baby One More Time on cassette. Either that, or 5ive. I definitely managed to get hold of a few pop albums on tape when I was very young."
Song That Made You Want to Be a Musician:
'Stripped (Album) - Christina Aguilera'
"I started singing before anything else, and I loved it so much (I still do!). When I was was about 10, I was given Christina Aguilera’s album ‘Stripped’ and I wanted to be able to do every vocal run, every sequence perfectly. I remember coming downstairs from my room and complaining to my mum that I couldn’t do it yet, and why not? She said ‘because you’re 10’. I practiced everyday from there."
Song That Gets You Through Hard Times:
'I Do This All The Time - Self Esteem'
"I’ve seen Self Esteem live three times so far, and each time this song has really made me feel! It reminds me to take it easy on myself, and not take things too seriously. The strings at the end always get me! "
A Song You Would Have Loved to Write:
'Waiting Game - BANKS'
"BANKS - Waiting Game (if I got to produce it too). I love that song, the bass is amazing."
Song You'd Put On at a Party:
'I Feel Love - Donna Summer'
Favourite Song of all Time:
'Art Angels (Album) - Grimes'
"I’m not sure I have just one, this is always an impossible question to me! I really love Grimes’ album ‘Art Angels’, it was incredibly inspiring to me when I started producing. There were so few female producers (there still are), but seeing a woman creating music by herself gave me motivation and something to work towards. It’s not something you see very often, and there are a lot of mental hoops to jump through in order to get there yourself."
Song You are Most Proud Of:
'Pick Me Up - SHEARS' (Plus more coming this year!!)
"I’m definitely really proud of the tracks that are coming this year…but there’s an older song called ‘Pick Me Up’ that was my first solo production work, and so I’ll always be proud of that."
Photo Credit: Laura Prieto Martin
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